T20 World Cup: Mohammed Shami bowls full tilt as India enter final phase of preparations with warm-up games | Cricket News

BRISBANE: Mohammad Shami appeared to have reached near-full fitness as he played at maximum intensity in India’s first training session at the Gabba on Sunday, ahead of their first warm-up match against England on Monday.
Shami, who had reached Brisbane after recovering from COVID-19 and being cleared, had replaced an injured Jasprit Bumrah in the squad of 15.
On Sunday, Shami had a full session with coach Rahul Dravid who welcomed him into the mix after a layoff of around three months.

As for the first session, Shami seemed to rely on his rhythm as he played against the team’s top hitter, Virat Kohli for a while. It looks like he’s still trying to hit the straps and maybe the upcoming warm-up games against England and New Zealand would give an idea of ​​his fitness.
There’s no doubt that an 80 per cent skill-matched Shami will be more effective than a completely out-of-his-kind Harshal Patel, who was taken to cleaners by Dinesh Karthik during the net session on Sunday.
Karthik would disdainfully crush Harshal’s length deliveries into the deep fantasy region of the middle wicket and low full throws through the square leg.
However, as he tried to play Shami’s scoop, Karthik got upset and the Bengal speedster smirked.
But will Dravid and Rohit play Shami against England or allow him to have two more net sessions before checking him out against New Zealand on Wednesday is the big question.
The two warm-up matches, which will be broadcast live in the Indian subcontinent, will also give everyone a clear picture of the type of game that will be played in the XI on October 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Both Rishabh Pant and Karthik had a good shot at net, but who will feature in the playing XI will perhaps be clear by looking at the batting order of the two practice games.
Reserve pacters Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur have also reached Brisbane.